Compositions comprising bacterial strains

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compositions comprising bacterial strains for treating and preventing brain injury.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/GB2018/051386, filed May 22, 2018, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Application No. 1708176.1, filed May 22, 2017, Great Britain Application No. 1714305.8, filed Sep. 6, 2017, Great Britain Application No. 1714309.0, filed Sep. 6, 2017, Great Britain Application No. 1714298.5, filed Sep. 6, 2017, Great Britain Application No. 1716493.0, filed Oct. 9, 2017, and Great Britain Application No. 1718551.3, filed Nov. 9, 2017, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ANSI format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ANSI copy, created on Nov. 18, 2019, is named 56708_724_301_SL and is 12,288 bytes in size.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is in the field of compositions comprising bacterial strains isolated from the mammalian digestive tract and the use of such compositions in the treatment of disease.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The human intestine is thought to be sterile in utero, but it is exposed to a large variety of maternal and environmental microbes immediately after birth. Thereafter, a dynamic period of microbial colonization and succession occurs, which is influenced by factors such as delivery mode, environment, diet and host genotype, all of which impact upon the composition of the gut microbiota, particularly during early life. Subsequently, the microbiota stabilizes and becomes adult-like [1]. The human gut microbiota contains more than 1500 different phylotypes, dominated in abundance levels by two major bacterial divisions (phyla), the Bacteroidetes and the Firmicutes [2-3]. The successful symbiotic relationships arising from bacterial colonization of the human gut have yielded a wide variety of metabolic, structural, protective and other beneficial functions. The enhanced metabolic activities of the colonized gut ensure that otherwise indigestible dietary components are degraded with release of by-products providing an important nutrient source for the host and additional health benefits. Similarly, the immunological importance of the gut microbiota is well-recognized and is exemplified in germfree animals which have an impaired immune system that is functionally reconstituted following the introduction of commensal bacteria [4-6].

Dramatic changes in microbiota composition have been documented in gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For example, the levels of Clostridium cluster XIVa bacteria and Clostridium cluster XI (F. prausnitzii) are reduced in IBD patients whilst numbers of E. coli are increased, suggesting a shift in the balance of symbionts and pathobionts within the gut [7-11].

In recognition of the potential positive effect that certain bacterial strains may have on the animal gut, various strains have been proposed for use in the treatment of various diseases (see, for example, [12-15]). Human gut bacteria are known to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which have been proposed to treat autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders [16]. A number of strains, including mostly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, have been proposed for use in treating various bowel disorders (see [17] for a review). Bacterial strains, in particular butyrogenic bacteria, have been proposed to treat and/or prevent Clostridium difficile infection [18].

Clostridium butyricum has been shown to attenuate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in mice models ([19] and [20]). Administration of C. butyricum led to the modulation of the gut microbiota, which correlated with changes in the levels of various neurotrophins and monoamine transmitters that are involved in brain function. Due to the complexity of molecules involved, the authors conclude that the mechanism by which C. butyricum produced these neuroprotective effects was impossible to identify. Treatment with C. butyricum led to a reduction in apoptosis via decreasing the levels of capase-3 in response to PI3K/Akt activation. The PI3K/Akt pathway has been widely reported to participate in protection against psychiatric disorders.

Strains of the genus Blautia have also been proposed for use in modulating the microbial balance of the digestive ecosystem [21] and particular species have been proposed for use in treating systemic diseases distanced from the gut [22]. However, the relationship between different bacterial strains and different diseases, and the precise effects of particular bacterial strains on the gut and at a systemic level and on any particular types of diseases, are poorly characterised.

There is a requirement for the potential effects of gut bacteria to be characterised so that new therapies using gut bacteria can be developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have developed new therapies for treating brain injury. In particular, the inventors have identified that bacterial strains from the genus Blautia can be effective for treating brain injury. As described in the examples, oral administration of compositions comprising Blautia hydrogenotrophica may treat brain injury, aiding recovery and improving neurological function, motor abilities and social recognition in a mouse occlusion model of brain injury in patients. Therefore, in a first embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprising a bacterial strain of the genus Blautia, for use in a method of treating brain injury.

In preferred embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising a bacterial strain of the genus Blautia, for use in a method of treating or preventing brain injury. In preferred embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating stroke. In particularly preferred embodiments, the stroke is cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments the cerebral ischemia is ischemic stroke. In some embodiments, the stroke is hemorrhagic stroke.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the bacterial strain in the composition is of Blautia hydrogenotrophica. Closely related strains may also be used, such as bacterial strains that have a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to the 16s rRNA sequence of a bacterial strain of Blautia hydrogenotrophica. Preferably, the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to SEQ ID NO:5. Most preferably, the bacterial strain in the composition is the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294.

In further embodiments of the invention, the bacterial strain in the composition is of Blautia stercoris. Closely related strains may also be used, such as bacterial strains that have a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to the 16s rRNA sequence of a bacterial strain of Blautia stercoris. Preferably, the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. Preferably, the sequence identity is to SEQ ID NO:3. Preferably, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has the 16s rRNA sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:3.

In further embodiments of the invention, the bacterial strain in the composition is of Blautia wexlerae. Closely related strains may also be used, such as bacterial strains that have a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to the 16s rRNA sequence of a bacterial strain of Blautia wexlerae. Preferably, the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 or 4. Preferably, the sequence identity is to SEQ ID NO:4. Preferably, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has the 16s rRNA sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:4.

In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention is for oral administration. Oral administration of the strains of the invention can be effective for treating brain injury. Also, oral administration is convenient for patients and practitioners and allows delivery to and/or partial or total colonisation of the intestine.

In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers.

In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises a bacterial strain that has been lyophilised. Lyophilisation is an effective and convenient technique for preparing stable compositions that allow delivery of bacteria.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a food product comprising the composition as described above.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a vaccine composition comprising the composition as described above.

Additionally, the invention provides a method of treating brain injury, comprising administering a composition comprising a bacterial strain of the genus Blautia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Analysis of neurological function and motor abilities in a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion I/R mouse model using the Inverted Screen test, in mice with or without treatment with Blautia hydrogenotrophica.

FIG. 2: Analysis of neurological function and social recognition in a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion I/R mouse model using the Social Recognition test, in mice with or without treatment with Blautia hydrogenotrophica.

FIG. 3: Effect of Blautia hydrogenotrophica (10¹⁰/day for 14 days) on short chain fatty acids production (RMN ¹H) in caecal contents of healthy HIM rats.

FIG. 4: qPCR evaluation of B. hydrogenotrophica population in faecal samples of IBS-HMA rats treated or not with a composition comprising B. hydrogenotrophica (BlautiX) for 28 days.

FIGS. 5A and 5B: Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations in caecal samples of IBS-HMA rats treated or not with B. hydrogenotrophica (Blautix) for 28 days. FIG. 5A shows concentration of total SCFA. FIG. 5B shows concentration of Acetic acid, Propionic acid and Butyric acid.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C: Histological evaluation of tissue samples from mice treated with bacterial composition comprising B. hydrogenotrophica (Blautix). FIG. 6A shows the semi-quantitative pyknosis score of histology H&E stained tissue samples. Mice administered with the composition of the invention (5M) display significantly reduced pyknosis score compared to the negative control mice (2M) (p<0.0001). FIG. 6B shows the semi-quantitative vacuolisation score of histology H&E strained tissue samples. Mice administered with the composition of the invention (5M) display significantly reduced vacuolisation score compared to the negative control (2M) (p=0.098). FIG. 6C shows representative photographs of H&E stained slides—dark pyknotic neurons nuclei and some swollen pale vacuoles in some affected neurons cytoplasm.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Bacterial Strains

The compositions of the invention comprise a bacterial strain of the genus Blautia. The examples demonstrate that bacteria of this genus are useful for treating brain injury. The preferred bacterial strains are of the species Blautia hydrogenotrophica, Blautia stercoris and Blautia wexlerae. Other preferred bacterial strains for use in the invention are Blautia producta, Blautia coccoides and Blautia hansenii.

Examples of Blautia strains for use in the invention include Blautia hydrogenotrophica, B. stercoris, B. faecis, B. coccoides, B. glucerasea, B. hansenii, B. luti, B. producta, B. schinkii and B. wexlerae. The Blautia species are Gram-reaction-positive, non-motile bacteria that may be either coccoid or oval and all are obligate anaerobes that produce acetic acid as the major end product of glucose fermentation [23]. Blautia may be isolated from the human gut, although B. producta was isolated from a septicaemia sample.

Blautia hydrogenotrophica (previously known as Ruminococcus hydrogenotrophicus) has been isolated from the guts of mammals, is strictly anaerobic, and metabolises H₂/CO₂ to acetate, which may be important for human nutrition. The type strain of Blautia hydrogenotrophica is S5a33=DSM 14294=JCM 14656. The GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain S5a36 is X95624.1 (disclosed herein as SEQ ID NO:5). This exemplary Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain is described in [19] and [24]. The S5a33 strain and the S5a36 strain correspond to two subclones of a strain isolated from a faecal sample of a healthy subject. They show identical morphology, physiology and metabolism and have identical 16S rRNA sequences. Thus, in some embodiments, the Blautia hydrogenotrophica for use in the invention has the 16S rRNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.

The Blautia hydrogenotrophica bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294 was tested in the examples and is also referred to herein as strain BH and Blautix. Strain BH is the preferred strain of the invention. Strain BH was deposited with the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen [German Microorganism Collection] (Mascheroder Weg 1b, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany) under accession number DSM 14294 as “S5a33” on 10th May 2001. The depositor was INRA Laboratoire de Microbiologie CR de Clermont-Ferrand/Theix 63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France. Ownership of the deposits has passed to 4D Pharma Plc by way of assignment. 4D Pharma Plc has authorised, by way of an agreement, 4D Pharma Research Limited to refer to the deposited biological material in the application and has given its unreserved and irrevocable consent to the deposited material being made available to the public.

The GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Blautia stercoris strain GAM6-1^(T) is HM626177 (disclosed herein as SEQ ID NO:1). An exemplary Blautia stercoris strain is described in [25]. The type strain of Blautia wexlerae is WAL 14507=ATCC BAA-1564=DSM 19850 [19]. The GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Blautia wexlerae strain WAL 14507 T is EF036467 (disclosed herein as SEQ ID NO:2). This exemplary Blautia wexlerae strain is described in [19].

All microorganism deposits were made under the terms of the Budapest Treaty and thus viability of the deposit is assured. Maintenance of a viable culture is assured for 30 years from the date of deposit. During the pendency of the application, access to the deposit will be afforded to one determined by the Commissioner of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to be entitled thereto. All restrictions on the availability to the public of the deposited microorganisms will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of a patent for this application. The deposit will be maintained for a term of at least thirty (30) years from the date of the deposit or for the enforceable life of the patent or for a period of at least five (5) years after the most recent request for the furnishing of a sample of the deposited material, whichever is longest. The deposit will be replaced should it become necessary due to inviability, contamination or loss of capability to function in the manner described in the specification.

A preferred Blautia stercoris strain is the strain deposited under accession number NCIMB 42381, which is also referred to herein as strain 830. A 16S rRNA sequence for the 830 strain is provided in SEQ ID NO:3. Strain 830 was deposited with the international depositary authority NCIMB, Ltd. (Ferguson Building, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, Scotland) by GT Biologics Ltd. (Life Sciences Innovation Building, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZS, Scotland) on 12th Mar. 2015 as “Blautia stercoris 830” and was assigned accession number NCIMB 42381. GT Biologics Ltd. subsequently changed its name to 4D Pharma Research Limited

A preferred Blautia wexlerae strain is the strain deposited under accession number NCIMB 42486, which is also referred to herein as strain MRX008. A 16S rRNA sequence for the MRX008 strain is provided in SEQ ID NO:4. Strain MRX008 was deposited with the international depositary authority NCIMB, Ltd. (Ferguson Building, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, Scotland) by 4D Pharma Research Ltd. (Life Sciences Innovation Building, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZS, Scotland) on 16th Nov. 2015 as “Blaqutia/Ruminococcus MRx0008” and was assigned accession number NCIMB 42486.

Bacterial strains closely related to the strain tested in the examples are also expected to be effective for treating brain injury. In certain embodiments, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to the 16s rRNA sequence of a bacterial strain of Blautia hydrogenotrophica. Preferably, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to SEQ ID NO:5.

In certain embodiments, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to the 16s rRNA sequence of a bacterial strain of Blautia stercoris. Preferably, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3. Preferably, the sequence identity is to SEQ ID NO:3. Preferably, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has the 16s rRNA sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:3. In certain embodiments, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to the 16s rRNA sequence of a bacterial strain of Blautia wexlerae. Preferably, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has a 16s rRNA sequence that is at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4. Preferably, the sequence identity is to SEQ ID NO:4. Preferably, the bacterial strain for use in the invention has the 16s rRNA sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:4.

Bacterial strains that are biotypes of the bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294 or biotypes of the bacteria deposited under accession numbers NCIMB 42381 and NCIMB 42486 are also expected to be effective for treating brain injury. A biotype is a closely related strain that has the same or very similar physiological and biochemical characteristics.

Strains that are biotypes of a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486 and that are suitable for use in the invention may be identified by sequencing other nucleotide sequences for a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486. For example, substantially the whole genome may be sequenced and a biotype strain for use in the invention may have at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% sequence identity across at least 80% of its whole genome (e.g. across at least 85%, 90%, 95% or 99%, or across its whole genome). For example, in some embodiments, a biotype strain has at least 98% sequence identity across at least 98% of its genome or at least 99% sequence identity across 99% of its genome. Other suitable sequences for use in identifying biotype strains may include hsp60 or repetitive sequences such as BOX, ERIC, (GTG)5, or REP or [26]. Biotype strains may have sequences with at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% sequence identity to the corresponding sequence of a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486. In some embodiments, a biotype strain has a sequence with at least 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% sequence identity to the corresponding sequence of the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited as DSM 14294 and comprises a 16S rRNA sequence that is at least 99% identical (e.g. at least 99.5% or at least 99.9% identical) to SEQ ID NO: 5. In some embodiments, a biotype strain has a sequence with at least 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% sequence identity to the corresponding sequence of the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited as DSM 14294 and has the 16S rRNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.

Alternatively, strains that are biotypes of a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486 and that are suitable for use in the invention may be identified by using the accession number DSM 14294 deposit, the accession number NCIMB 42381 deposit, or the accession number NCIMB 42486 deposit, and restriction fragment analysis and/or PCR analysis, for example by using fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (FAFLP) and repetitive DNA element (rep)-PCR fingerprinting, or protein profiling, or partial 16S or 23s rDNA sequencing. In preferred embodiments, such techniques may be used to identify other Blautia hydrogenotrophica, Blautia stercoris or Blautia wexlerae strains.

In certain embodiments, strains that are biotypes of a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486 and that are suitable for use in the invention are strains that provide the same pattern as a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486 when analysed by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), for example when using Sau3AI restriction enzyme (for exemplary methods and guidance see, for example,[27]). Alternatively, biotype strains are identified as strains that have the same carbohydrate fermentation patterns as a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486.

Other Blautia strains that are useful in the compositions and methods of the invention, such as biotypes of a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486, may be identified using any appropriate method or strategy, including the assays described in the examples. For instance, strains for use in the invention may be identified by culturing bacteria and administering to mice to test in the occlusion assay. In particular, bacterial strains that have similar growth patterns, metabolic type and/or surface antigens to a bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 423 81 or NCIMB 42486 may be useful in the invention. A useful strain will have comparable microbiota modulatory activity to the DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486 strain. In particular, a biotype strain will elicit comparable effects on brain injury to the effects shown in the Examples, which may be identified by using the culturing and administration protocols described in the Examples.

A particularly preferred strain of the invention is the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294. This is the exemplary BH strain tested in the examples and shown to be effective for treating disease. Therefore, the invention provides a cell, such as an isolated cell, of the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294, or a derivative thereof, for use in therapy, in particular for the diseases described herein.

A derivative of the strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486 may be a daughter strain (progeny) or a strain cultured (subcloned) from the original. A derivative of a strain of the invention may be modified, for example at the genetic level, without ablating the biological activity. In particular, a derivative strain of the invention is therapeutically active. A derivative strain will have comparable microbiota modulatory activity to the original DSM 14294, NCIMB 42381 or NCIMB 42486 strain. In particular, a derivative strain will elicit comparable effects on brain injury to the effects shown in the Examples, which may be identified by using the culturing and administration protocols described in the Examples. A derivative of the DSM 14294 strain will generally be a biotype of the DSM 14294 strain. A derivative of the NCIMB 42381 strain will generally be a biotype of the NCIMB 42381 strain. A derivative of the NCIMB 42486 strain will generally be a biotype of the NCIMB 42486 strain.

References to cells of the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294 encompass any cells that have the same safety and therapeutic efficacy characteristics as the strains deposited under accession number DSM 14294, and such cells are encompassed by the invention. References to cells of the Blautia stercoris strain deposited under accession number NCIMB 42381 encompass any cells that have the same safety and therapeutic efficacy characteristics as the strains deposited under accession number NCIMB 42381, and such cells are encompassed by the invention. References to cells of the Blautia wexlerae strain deposited under accession number NCIMB 42486 encompass any cells that have the same safety and therapeutic efficacy characteristics as the strains deposited under accession number NCIMB 42486, and such cells are encompassed by the invention.

In preferred embodiments, the bacterial strains in the compositions of the invention are viable and capable of partially or totally colonising the intestine.

Therapeutic Uses

The compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury. The examples demonstrate that the compositions of the invention aid recovery and improve neurological function, motor abilities and social recognition in a mouse occlusion model of brain injury, so they may be useful for treating brain injuries.

In some embodiments, the brain injury is a traumatic brain injury. In some embodiments, the brain injury is an acquired brain injury. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury resulting from trauma. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury resulting from a tumour. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury resulting from a stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury resulting from a brain haemorrhage. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury resulting from encephalitis. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury resulting from cerebral hypoxia. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury resulting from cerebral anoxia.

In preferred embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating stroke. The effects shown in the examples are particularly relevant to the treatment of stroke. Stroke occurs when blood flow to at least a part of the brain is interrupted. Without an adequate supply of blood to provide oxygen and nutrients to the brain tissue and to remove waste products from the brain tissue, brain cells rapidly begin to die. The symptoms of stroke are dependent on the region of the brain which is affected by the inadequate blood flow. Symptoms include paralysis, numbness or weakness of the muscles, loss of balance, dizziness, sudden severe headaches, speech impairment, loss of memory, loss of reasoning ability, sudden confusion, vision impairment, coma or even death. A stroke is also referred to as a brain attack or a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The symptoms of stroke may be brief if adequate blood flow is restored within a short period of time. However, if inadequate blood flow continues for a significant period of time, the symptoms can be permanent.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises a strain of the species Blautia hydrogenotrophica and is for use in treating stroke.

In some embodiments, the stroke is cerebral ischemia. Cerebral ischemia results when there is insufficient blood flow to the tissues of the brain to meet metabolic demand. In some embodiments, the cerebral ischemia is focal cerebral ischemia, i.e. confined to a specific region of the brain. In some embodiments the cerebral ischemia is global cerebral ischemia, i.e. encompassing a wide area of the brain tissue. Focal cerebral ischemia commonly occurs when a cerebral vessel has become blocked, either partially or completely, reducing the flow of blood to a specific region of the brain. In some embodiments the focal cerebral ischemia is ischemic stroke. In some embodiments, the ischemic stroke is thrombotic, i.e. caused by a thrombus or blood clot, which develops in a cerebral vessel and restricts or blocks blood flow. In some embodiments the ischemic stroke is a thrombotic stroke. In some embodiments, the ischemic stroke is embolic, i.e. caused by an embolus, or an unattached mass that travels through the bloodstream and restricts or blocks blood flow at a site distant from its point of origin. In some embodiments the ischemic stroke is an embolic stroke. Global cerebral ischemia commonly occurs when blood flow to the brain as a whole is blocked or reduced. In some embodiments the global cerebral ischemia is caused by hypoperfusion, i.e. due to shock. In some embodiments the global cerebral ischemia is a result of a cardiac arrest.

In some embodiments the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered focal cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered an ischemic stroke. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered a thrombotic stroke. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered an embolic stroke. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered global cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered hypoperfusion. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered a cardiac arrest. The examples demonstrate that the compositions of the invention may be particularly useful for aiding recovery following such brain injuries. In particularly preferred embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises a strain of the species Blautia hydrogenotrophica and is for use in treating a patient that has suffered cerebral ischemia.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating focal cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use treating ischemic stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating thrombotic stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating embolic stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating global cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating hypoperfusion.

In some embodiments, the stroke is hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into or around the brain resulting in swelling, pressure and damage to the cells and tissues of the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke is commonly a result of a weakened blood vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. In some embodiments, the hemorrhagic stroke is an intracerebral hemorrhage, i.e. caused by bleeding within the brain tissue itself. In some embodiments the intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by an intraparenchymal hemorrhage. In some embodiments the intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by an intraventricular hemorrhage. In some embodiments the hemorrhagic stroke is a subarachnoid hemorrhage i.e. bleeding that occurs outside of the brain tissue but still within the skull. In some embodiments, the hemorrhagic stroke is a result of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. In some embodiments, the hemorrhagic stroke is a result of a brain aneurysm. In some embodiments, the hemorrhagic stroke is a result of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

In some embodiments the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered hemorrhagic stroke. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered an intracerebral hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered an intraparenchymal hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered an intraventricular hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered cerebral amyloid angiopathy. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered a brain aneurysm. In some embodiments, the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered cerebral AVM.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating hemorrhagic stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating an intracerebral hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating an intraparenchymal hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating an intraventricular hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating a subarachnoid hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating a cerebral amyloid angiopathy. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating a brain aneurysm. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating cerebral AVM.

Restoration of adequate blood flow to the brain after a period of interruption, though effective in alleviating the symptoms associated with stroke, can paradoxically result in further damage to the brain tissue. During the period of interruption, the affected tissue suffers from a lack of oxygen and nutrients, and the sudden restoration of blood flow can result in inflammation and oxidative damage through the induction of oxidative stress. This is known as reperfusion injury, and is well documented not only following stroke, but also following a heart attack or other tissue damage when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischemia or lack of oxygen. In some embodiments the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered from reperfusion injury as a result of stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating reperfusion injury as a result of stroke.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a mini-stroke, is a recognised warning sign for a more serious stroke. Subjects who have suffered one or more TIAs are therefore at greater risk of stroke. In some embodiments the subject diagnosed with brain injury has suffered a TIA. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating a TIA. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury in a subject who has suffered a TIA.

High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, a familial history of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, sickle cell disease, vasculitis, bleeding disorders, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), smoking tobacco, drinking large amounts of alcohol, illegal drug use, obesity, lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet are all considered to be risk factors for stroke. In particular, lowering blood pressure has been conclusively shown to prevent both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes [28, 29]. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in treating brain injury in a subject who has at least one risk factor for stroke. In some embodiments the subject has two risk factors for stroke. In some embodiments the subject has three risk factors for stroke. In some embodiments the subject has four risk factors for stroke. In some embodiments the subject has more than four risk factors for stroke. In some embodiments the subject has high blood pressure. In some embodiments the subject has high blood cholesterol. In some embodiments the subject has a familial history of stroke. In some embodiments the subject has heart disease. In some embodiments the subject has diabetes. In some embodiments the subject has a brain aneurysm. In some embodiments the subject has arteriovenous malformations. In some embodiments the subject has vasculitis. In some embodiments the subject has sickle cell disease. In some embodiments the subject has a bleeding disorder. In some embodiments the subject has a history of use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In some embodiments the subject smokes tobacco. In some embodiments the subject drinks large amounts of alcohol. In some embodiments the subject uses illegal drugs. In some embodiments the subject is obese. In some embodiments the subject is overweight. In some embodiments the subject has a lack of physical activity. In some embodiments the subject has an unhealthy diet.

The examples demonstrate that the compositions of the invention may be useful for treating brain injury and aiding recovery when administered before the injury event occurs. Therefore, the compositions of the invention may be particularly useful for treating brain injury when administered to subjects at risk of brain injury, such as stroke. In preferred embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises a strain of the species Blautia hydrogenotrophica and is for use in treating a patient identified as at risk of having a stroke.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in reducing the damage caused by a potential brain injury, preferably a stroke. The compositions may reduce the damage caused when they are administered before the potential brain injury occurs, in particular when administered to a patient identified as at risk of a brain injury.

The examples show that treatment with a composition of the invention reduces motoric damage after stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention treat brain injury by reducing motoric damage. The examples show that treatment with a composition of the invention improves motor function after stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention treat brain injury by improving motor function. The examples show that treatment with a composition of the invention improves muscle strength after stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention treat brain injury by improving muscle strength. The examples show that treatment with a composition of the invention improves memory after stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention treat brain injury by improving memory. The examples show that treatment with a composition of the invention improves social recognition after stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention treat brain injury by improving social recognition. The examples demonstrate that treatment with a composition of the invention improves neurological function after stroke. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention treat brain injury by improving neurological function.

As demonstrated in the examples, bacterial compositions of the invention may be effective for treating brain injury. In certain embodiments, the composition may be in the form of a bacterial culture. In some embodiments, the composition may preferably be a lyophilisate. Treatment of brain injury may refer to, for example, an alleviation of the severity of symptoms. Treatment of brain injury may also refer to reducing the neurological impairments following stroke. Compositions of the invention for use in treating stroke may be provided to the subject in advance of the onset of stroke, for example in a patient identified as being at risk of stroke. Compositions of the invention for use in treating stroke may be provided after a stroke has occurred, for example, during recovery. Compositions of the invention for use in treating stroke may be provided during the acute phase of recovery (i.e. up to one week after stroke). Compositions of the invention for use in treating stroke may be provided during the subacute phase of recovery (i.e. from one week up to three months after stroke). Compositions of the invention for use in treating stroke may be provided during the chronic phase of recovery (from three months after stroke).

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in combination with a secondary active agent. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention are for use in combination with aspirin or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Other secondary agents include other antiplatelets (such as clopidogrel), anticoagulants (such as heparins, warfarin, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban or rivaroxaban), antihypertensives (such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers or alpha-blockers) or statins. The compositions of the invention may improve the patient's response to the secondary active agent.

Although there are many mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of stroke, numerous studies have shown that oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis are key factors for its pathogenic progression [30, 31]. It is understood that a rapid increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) immediately after stroke overwhelms existing antioxidant defences causing tissue damage. Such ROS also stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases which increase blood brain barrier permeability and trafficking of leukocytes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an endogenous antioxidant which plays a role in the prevention of oxidative injury. Therefore, enhancement of antioxidant activities in the brain such as those of SOD is beneficial for alleviating neuronal damage. Furthermore, inflammatory reactions also aggravate brain damage during and after stroke. Oxidative stress and inflammation can result in neuronal apoptosis, which can be responsible for neuronal cell death after stroke.

Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid (SCFA), synthesised via the fermentation of otherwise non-digestible fiber by bacteria in the colon. Butyrate has been suggested to be neuroprotective, to reduce blood-brain barrier permeability after stroke, to reduce oxidative stress, to have anti-inflammatory effects, to inhibit neuronal apoptosis and to promote general cell survival, tissue repair and recovery after stroke [32, 33, 34, 35, 36].

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the pyknosis and/or vacuolisation score of a tissue. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the pyknosis and/or vacuolisation score of a tissue that has been subject to ischemia. The examples demonstrate that the compositions of the invention reduce tissue damage as measured by pyknosis and vacuolisation. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention reduce the effect of ischemia on tissues. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention reduce the amount of damage to tissues caused by ischemia. In certain embodiments, the tissues damaged by ischemia are the cerebral tissues. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention reduce necrosis or the number of necrotic cells. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention reduce apoptosis or the number of apoptotic cells. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention reduce the number of necrotic and apoptotic cells. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention prevent cell death by necrosis and/or apoptosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention prevent cell death by necrosis and/or apoptosis caused by ischemia. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the recovery of the tissue damaged by ischemia. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the speed of clearance of necrotic cells and/or apoptotic cells. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the efficacy of the clearance of necrotic cells and/or apoptotic cells. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the replacement and/or regeneration of cells within tissues. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the replacement and/or regeneration of cells within tissues damaged by ischemia. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention improve the overall histology of the tissue (for example upon a biopsy).

Modes of Administration

Preferably, the compositions of the invention are to be administered to the gastrointestinal tract in order to enable delivery to and/or partial or total colonisation of the intestine with the bacterial strain of the invention. Generally, the compositions of the invention are administered orally, but they may be administered rectally, intranasally, or via buccal or sublingual routes.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention may be administered as a foam, as a spray or a gel.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention may be administered as a suppository, such as a rectal suppository, for example in the form of a theobroma oil (cocoa butter), synthetic hard fat (e.g. suppocire, witepsol), glycero-gelatin, polyethylene glycol, or soap glycerin composition.

In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention is administered to the gastrointestinal tract via a tube, such as a nasogastric tube, orogastric tube, gastric tube, jejunostomy tube (J tube), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), or a port, such as a chest wall port that provides access to the stomach, jejunum and other suitable access ports.

The compositions of the invention may be administered once, or they may be administered sequentially as part of a treatment regimen. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention are to be administered daily. The examples demonstrate that administration provides successful colonisation and clinical benefits in treatment of brain injury.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention are administered regularly, such as daily, every two days, or weekly, for an extended period of time, such as for at least one week, two weeks, one month, two months, six months, or one year. The examples demonstrate that BH administration may not result in permanent colonisation of the intestines, so regular administration for extended periods of time may provide greater therapeutic benefits.

In some embodiments the compositions of the invention are administered for 7 days, 14 days, 16 days, 21 days or 28 days or no more than 7 days, 14 days, 16 days, 21 days or 28 days. For example, in some embodiments the compositions of the invention are administered for 16 days. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are administered for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 months, over 6 months, or over 1 year.

In certain embodiments of the invention, treatment according to the invention is accompanied by assessment of the patient's gut microbiota. Treatment may be repeated if delivery of and/or partial or total colonisation with the strain of the invention is not achieved such that efficacy is not observed, or treatment may be ceased if delivery and/or partial or total colonisation is successful and efficacy is observed.

In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention may be administered to a pregnant animal, for example a mammal such as a human in order to treat brain injuries developing in her child in utero and/or after it is born.

The compositions of the invention may be administered to a patient that has been diagnosed with brain injury or a disease or condition associated with brain injury, or that has been identified as being at risk of brain injury.

The compositions of the invention may be administered to a patient that has been identified as having an abnormal gut microbiota. For example, the patient may have reduced or absent colonisation by Blautia, and in particular Blautia hydrogenotrophica, Blautia stercoris or Blautia wexlerae.

The compositions of the invention may be administered as a food product, such as a nutritional supplement.

Generally, the compositions of the invention are for the treatment of humans, although they may be used to treat animals including monogastric mammals such as poultry, pigs, cats, dogs, horses or rabbits. The compositions of the invention may be useful for enhancing the growth and performance of animals. If administered to animals, oral gavage may be used.

In some embodiments, the subject to whom the composition is to be administered is an adult human. In some embodiments, the subject to whom the composition is to be administered is an infant human.

Compositions

Generally, the composition of the invention comprises bacteria. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the composition is formulated in freeze-dried form. For example, the composition of the invention may comprise granules or gelatin capsules, for example hard gelatin capsules, comprising a bacterial strain of the invention.

Preferably, the composition of the invention comprises lyophilised bacteria. Lyophilisation of bacteria is a well-established procedure and relevant guidance is available in, for example, references [37-39]. Lyophilisate compositions may be particularly effective. In preferred embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises lyophilised bacteria and is for the treatment of brain injury.

Alternatively, the composition of the invention may comprise a live, active bacterial culture. In some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention has not been inactivated, for example, has not been heat-inactivated. In some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention has not been killed, for example, has not been heat-killed. In some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention has not been attenuated, for example, has not been heat-attenuated. For example, in some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention has not been killed, inactivated and/or attenuated. For example, in some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention is live. For example, in some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention is viable. For example, in some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention is capable of partially or totally colonising the intestine. For example, in some embodiments, the bacterial strain in the composition of the invention is viable and capable of partially or totally colonising the intestine.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a mixture of live bacterial strains and bacterial strains that have been killed.

In preferred embodiments, the composition of the invention is encapsulated to enable delivery of the bacterial strain to the intestine. Encapsulation protects the composition from degradation until delivery at the target location through, for example, rupturing with chemical or physical stimuli such as pressure, enzymatic activity, or physical disintegration, which may be triggered by changes in pH. Any appropriate encapsulation method may be used. Exemplary encapsulation techniques include entrapment within a porous matrix, attachment or adsorption on solid carrier surfaces, self-aggregation by flocculation or with cross-linking agents, and mechanical containment behind a microporous membrane or a microcapsule. Guidance on encapsulation that may be useful for preparing compositions of the invention is available in, for example, references [40-41].

The composition may be administered orally and may be in the form of a tablet, capsule or powder. Encapsulated products are preferred because Blautia are anaerobes. Other ingredients (such as vitamin C, for example), may be included as oxygen scavengers and prebiotic substrates to improve the delivery and/or partial or total colonisation and survival in vivo. Alternatively, the probiotic composition of the invention may be administered orally as a food or nutritional product, such as milk or whey based fermented dairy product, or as a pharmaceutical product.

The composition may be formulated as a probiotic.

A composition of the invention includes a therapeutically effective amount of a bacterial strain of the invention. A therapeutically effective amount of a bacterial strain is sufficient to exert a beneficial effect upon a patient. A therapeutically effective amount of a bacterial strain may be sufficient to result in delivery to and/or partial or total colonisation of the patient's intestine.

A suitable daily dose of the bacteria, for example for an adult human, may be from about 1×10³ to about 1×10¹¹ colony forming units (CFU); for example, from about 1×10⁷ to about 1×10¹⁰ CFU; in another example from about 1×10⁶ to about 1×10¹⁰ CFU; in another example from about 1×10⁷ to about 1×10¹¹ CFU; in another example from about 1×10⁸ to about 1×10¹⁰ CFU; in another example from about 1×10⁸ to about 1×10¹¹ CFU.

In certain embodiments, the dose of the bacteria is at least 10⁹ cells per day, such as at least 10¹⁰, at least 10¹¹, or at least 10¹² cells per day.

In certain embodiments, the composition contains the bacterial strain in an amount of from about 1×10⁶ to about 1×10¹¹ CFU/g, respect to the weight of the composition; for example, from about 1×10⁸ to about 1×10¹⁰ CFU/g. The dose may be, for example, 1 g, 3 g, 5 g, and 10 g.

Typically, a probiotic, such as the composition of the invention, is optionally combined with at least one suitable prebiotic compound. A prebiotic compound is usually a non-digestible carbohydrate such as an oligo- or polysaccharide, or a sugar alcohol, which is not degraded or absorbed in the upper digestive tract. Known prebiotics include commercial products such as inulin and transgalacto-oligosaccharides.

In certain embodiments, the probiotic composition of the present invention includes a prebiotic compound in an amount of from about 1 to about 30% by weight, respect to the total weight composition, (e.g. from 5 to 20% by weight). Carbohydrates may be selected from the group consisting of: fructo- oligosaccharides (or FOS), short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, inulin, isomalt-oligosaccharides, pectins, xylo-oligosaccharides (or XOS), chitosan-oligosaccharides (or COS), beta-glucans, arable gum modified and resistant starches, polydextrose, D-tagatose, acacia fibers, carob, oats, and citrus fibers. In one aspect, the prebiotics are the short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (for simplicity shown herein below as FOSs-c.c); said FOSs-c.c. are not digestible carbohydrates, generally obtained by the conversion of the beet sugar and including a saccharose molecule to which three glucose molecules are bonded.

The compositions of the invention may comprise pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers. Examples of such suitable excipients may be found in the reference [42]. Acceptable carriers or diluents for therapeutic use are well known in the pharmaceutical art and are described, for example, in reference [43]. Examples of suitable carriers include lactose, starch, glucose, methyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, sorbitol and the like. Examples of suitable diluents include ethanol, glycerol and water. The choice of pharmaceutical carrier, excipient or diluent can be selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice. The pharmaceutical compositions may comprise as, or in addition to, the carrier, excipient or diluent any suitable binder(s), lubricant(s), suspending agent(s), coating agent(s), solubilising agent(s). Examples of suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose, anhydrous lactose, free-flow lactose, beta-lactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums, such as acacia, tragacanth or sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol. Examples of suitable lubricants include sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride and the like. Preservatives, stabilizers, dyes and even flavouring agents may be provided in the pharmaceutical composition. Examples of preservatives include sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, cysteine and esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, for example, in some embodiments the preservative is selected from sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Antioxidants and suspending agents may be also used. A further example of a suitable carrier is saccharose. A further example of a preservative is cysteine.

The compositions of the invention may be formulated as a food product. For example, a food product may provide nutritional benefit in addition to the therapeutic effect of the invention, such as in a nutritional supplement. Similarly, a food product may be formulated to enhance the taste of the composition of the invention or to make the composition more attractive to consume by being more similar to a common food item, rather than to a pharmaceutical composition. In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention is formulated as a milk-based product. The term “milk-based product” means any liquid or semi-solid milk- or whey-based product having a varying fat content. The milk-based product can be, e.g., cow's milk, goat's milk, sheep's milk, skimmed milk, whole milk, milk recombined from powdered milk and whey without any processing, or a processed product, such as yoghurt, curdled milk, curd, sour milk, sour whole milk, butter milk and other sour milk products. Another important group includes milk beverages, such as whey beverages, fermented milks, condensed milks, infant or baby milks; flavoured milks, ice cream; milk-containing food such as sweets.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise one or more bacterial strains of the genus Blautia and do not contain bacteria from any other genus, or which comprise only de minimis or biologically irrelevant amounts of bacteria from another genus.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention contain a single bacterial strain or species and do not contain any other bacterial strains or species. Such compositions may comprise only de minimis or biologically irrelevant amounts of other bacterial strains or species. Such compositions may be a culture that is substantially free from other species of organism. In some embodiments, such compositions may be a lyophilisate that is substantially free from other species of organism.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise one or more bacterial strains of the genus Blautia, for example, a Blautia hydrogenotrophica, and do not contain any other bacterial genus, or which comprise only de minimis or biologically irrelevant amounts of bacteria from another genus. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise a single species of Blautia, for example, a Blautia hydrogenotrophica, and do not contain any other bacterial species, or which comprise only de minimis or biologically irrelevant amounts of bacteria from another species. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise a single strain of Blautia, for example, of Blautia hydrogenotrophica, and do not contain any other bacterial strains or species, or which comprise only de minimis or biologically irrelevant amounts of bacteria from another strain or species.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise more than one bacterial strain or species. For example, in some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise more than one strain from within the same species (e.g. more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45 strains), and, optionally, do not contain bacteria from any other species. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise less than 50 strains from within the same species (e.g. less than 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or 3 strains), and, optionally, do not contain bacteria from any other species. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise 1-40, 1-30, 1-20, 1-19, 1-18, 1-15, 1-10, 1-9, 1-8, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, 2-50, 2-40, 2- 30, 2-20, 2-15, 2-10, 2-5, 6-30, 6-15, 16-25, or 31-50 strains from within the same species and, optionally, do not contain bacteria from any other species. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise more than one species from within the same genus (e.g. more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 23, 25, 30, 35 or 40 species), and, optionally, do not contain bacteria from any other genus. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise less than 50 species from within the same genus (e.g. less than 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or 3 species), and, optionally, do not contain bacteria from any other genus. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise 1-50, 1-40, 1-30, 1-20, 1-15, 1-10, 1-9, 1-8, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, 2-50, 2-40, 2-30, 2-20, 2-15, 2-10, 2-5, 6-30, 6-15, 16-25, or 31-50 species from within the same genus and, optionally, do not contain bacteria from any other genus. The invention comprises any combination of the foregoing.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a microbial consortium. For example, in some embodiments, the composition comprises the Blautia bacterial strain as part of a microbial consortium. For example, in some embodiments, the Blautia bacterial strain is present in combination with one or more (e.g. at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15 or 20) other bacterial strains from other genera with which it can live symbiotically in vivo in the intestine. For example, in some embodiments, the composition comprises a bacterial strain of Blautia hydrogenotrophica in combination with a bacterial strain from a different genus. In some embodiments, the microbial consortium comprises two or more bacterial strains obtained from a faeces sample of a single organism, e.g. a human. In some embodiments, the microbial consortium is not found together in nature. For example, in some embodiments, the microbial consortium comprises bacterial strains obtained from faeces samples of at least two different organisms. In some embodiments, the two different organisms are from the same species, e.g. two different humans. In some embodiments, the two different organisms are an infant human and an adult human. In some embodiments, the two different organisms are a human and a non-human mammal.

In some embodiments, the composition of the invention additionally comprises a bacterial strain that has the same safety and therapeutic efficacy characteristics as the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294, but which is not the Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294, or which is not a Blautia hydrogenotrophica or which is not a Blautia.

In some embodiments in which the composition of the invention comprises more than one bacterial strain, species or genus, the individual bacterial strains, species or genera may be for separate, simultaneous or sequential administration. For example, the composition may comprise all of the more than one bacterial strain, species or genera, or the bacterial strains, species or genera may be stored separately and be administered separately, simultaneously or sequentially. In some embodiments, the more than one bacterial strains, species or genera are stored separately but are mixed together prior to use.

In some embodiments, the bacterial strain for use in the invention is obtained from human adult faeces. In some embodiments in which the composition of the invention comprises more than one bacterial strain, all of the bacterial strains are obtained from human adult faeces or if other bacterial strains are present they are present only in de minimis amounts. The bacteria may have been cultured subsequent to being obtained from the human adult faeces and being used in a composition of the invention.

In some embodiments, the one or more Blautia bacterial strains is/are the only therapeutically active agent(s) in a composition of the invention. In some embodiments, the bacterial strain(s) in the composition is/are the only therapeutically active agent(s) in a composition of the invention.

The compositions for use in accordance with the invention may or may not require marketing approval.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein said bacterial strain is lyophilised. In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein said bacterial strain is spray dried. In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein the bacterial strain is lyophilised or spray dried and wherein it is live. In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein the bacterial strain is lyophilised or spray dried and wherein it is viable. In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein the bacterial strain is lyophilised or spray dried and wherein it is capable of partially or totally colonising the intestine. In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein the bacterial strain is lyophilised or spray dried and wherein it is viable and capable of partially or totally colonising the intestine.

In some cases, the lyophilised or spray dried bacterial strain is reconstituted prior to administration. In some cases, the reconstitution is by use of a diluent described herein.

The compositions of the invention can comprise pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, diluents or carriers.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising: a bacterial strain of the invention; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier or diluent; wherein the bacterial strain is in an amount sufficient to treat a disorder when administered to a subject in need thereof; and wherein the disorder is brain injury.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein the amount of the bacterial strain is from about 1×10³ to about 1×10¹¹ colony forming units per gram with respect to a weight of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein the composition is administered at a dose of 1 g, 3 g, 5 g or 10 g.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein the composition is administered by a method selected from the group consisting of oral, rectal, subcutaneous, nasal, buccal, and sublingual.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, comprising a carrier selected from the group consisting of lactose, starch, glucose, methyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol and sorbitol.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, comprising a diluent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, glycerol and water.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, comprising an excipient selected from the group consisting of starch, gelatin, glucose, anhydrous lactose, free-flow lactose, beta-lactose, corn sweetener, acacia, tragacanth, sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate and sodium chloride.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, further comprising at least one of a preservative, an antioxidant and a stabilizer.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, comprising a preservative selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein said bacterial strain is lyophilised.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the above pharmaceutical composition, wherein when the composition is stored in a sealed container at about 4.0 or about 25.0 and the container is placed in an atmosphere having 50% relative humidity, at least 80% of the bacterial strain as measured in colony forming units, remains after a period of at least about: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, 2 years, 2.5 years or 3 years.

In some embodiments, the composition of the invention is provided in a sealed container comprising a composition as described herein. In some embodiments, the sealed container is a sachet or bottle. In some embodiments, the composition of the invention is provided in a syringe comprising a composition as described herein.

The composition of the present invention may, in some embodiments, be provided as a pharmaceutical formulation. For example, the composition may be provided as a tablet or capsule. In some embodiments, the capsule is a gelatine capsule (“gel-cap”).

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are administered orally. Oral administration may involve swallowing, so that the compound enters the gastrointestinal tract, and/or buccal, lingual, or sublingual administration by which the compound enters the blood stream directly from the mouth.

Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for oral administration include solid plugs, solid microparticulates, semi-solid and liquid (including multiple phases or dispersed systems) such as tablets; soft or hard capsules containing multi- or nano-particulates, liquids (e.g. aqueous solutions), emulsions or powders; lozenges (including liquid-filled); chews; gels; fast dispersing dosage forms; films; ovules; sprays; and buccal/mucoadhesive patches.

In some embodiments the pharmaceutical formulation is an enteric formulation, i.e. a gastro-resistant formulation (for example, resistant to gastric pH) that is suitable for delivery of the composition of the invention to the intestine by oral administration. Enteric formulations may be particularly useful when the bacteria or another component of the composition is acid-sensitive, e.g. prone to degradation under gastric conditions.

In some embodiments, the enteric formulation comprises an enteric coating. In some embodiments, the formulation is an enteric-coated dosage form. For example, the formulation may be an enteric-coated tablet or an enteric-coated capsule, or the like. The enteric coating may be a conventional enteric coating, for example, a conventional coating for a tablet, capsule, or the like for oral delivery. The formulation may comprise a film coating, for example, a thin film layer of an enteric polymer, e.g. an acid-insoluble polymer.

In some embodiments, the enteric formulation is intrinsically enteric, for example, gastro-resistant without the need for an enteric coating. Thus, in some embodiments, the formulation is an enteric formulation that does not comprise an enteric coating. In some embodiments, the formulation is a capsule made from a thermogelling material. In some embodiments, the thermogelling material is a cellulosic material, such as methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). In some embodiments, the capsule comprises a shell that does not contain any film forming polymer. In some embodiments, the capsule comprises a shell and the shell comprises hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and does not comprise any film forming polymer (e.g. see [44]). In some embodiments, the formulation is an intrinsically enteric capsule (for example, Vcaps® from Capsugel).

In some embodiments, the formulation is a soft capsule. Soft capsules are capsules which may, owing to additions of softeners, such as, for example, glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol and polyethylene glycols, present in the capsule shell, have a certain elasticity and softness. Soft capsules can be produced, for example, on the basis of gelatine or starch. Gelatine-based soft capsules are commercially available from various suppliers. Depending on the method of administration, such as, for example, orally or rectally, soft capsules can have various shapes, they can be, for example, round, oval, oblong or torpedo-shaped. Soft capsules can be produced by conventional processes, such as, for example, by the Scherer process, the Accogel process or the droplet or blowing process.

Culturing Methods

The bacterial strains for use in the present invention can be cultured using standard microbiology techniques as detailed in, for example, references [45-47].

The solid or liquid medium used for culture may for example be YCFA agar or YCFA medium. YCFA medium may include (per 100 ml , approximate values): Casitone (1.0 g), yeast extract (0.25 g), NaHCO₃ (0.4 g), cysteine (0.1 g), K₂HPO₄ (0.045 g), KH₂PO₄ (0.045 g), NaCl (0.09 g), (NH₄)₂SO₄ (0.09 g), MgSO₄·7H₂O (0.009 g), CaCl₂ (0.009 g), resazurin (0.1 mg), hemin (1 mg), biotin (1 μg), cobalamin (1 μg), p-aminobenzoic acid (3 μg), folic acid (5 μg), and pyridoxamine (15 μg).

General

The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional methods of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology and pharmacology, within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature. See, e.g., references [48-55], etc.

The term “comprising” encompasses “including” as well as “consisting” e.g. a composition “comprising” X may consist exclusively of X or may include something additional e.g. X+Y.

The term “about” in relation to a numerical value x is optional and means, for example, x±10%.

The word “substantially” does not exclude “completely” e.g. a composition which is “substantially free” from Y may be completely free from Y. Where necessary, the word “substantially” may be omitted from the definition of the invention.

References to a percentage sequence identity between two nucleotide sequences means that, when aligned, that percentage of nucleotides are the same in comparing the two sequences. This alignment and the percent homology or sequence identity can be determined using software programs known in the art, for example those described in section 7.7.18 of ref. [56]. A preferred alignment is determined by the Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12 and a gap extension penalty of 2, BLOSUM matrix of 62. The Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm is disclosed in ref [57].

Unless specifically stated, a process or method comprising numerous steps may comprise additional steps at the beginning or end of the method, or may comprise additional intervening steps. Also, steps may be combined, omitted or performed in an alternative order, if appropriate.

Various embodiments of the invention are described herein. It will be appreciated that the features specified in each embodiment may be combined with other specified features, to provide further embodiments. In particular, embodiments highlighted herein as being suitable, typical or preferred may be combined with each other (except when they are mutually exclusive).

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Example 1—Stability Testing

A composition described herein containing at least one bacterial strain described herein is stored in a sealed container at 25° C. or 4° C. and the container is placed in an atmosphere having 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90% or 95% relative humidity. After 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, 2 years, 2.5 years or 3 years, at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the bacterial strain shall remain as measured in colony forming units determined by standard protocols.

Example 2—Protective Effects on Cerebral Ischemia in Mice Summary

Five groups (1M, 2M, 3M, 4M and 5M) of 15-20 mice were tested. Only normally behaving animals were included in the study. The first dosing day was Day -14. The 1M and 2M groups received a PBS control solution daily from the first dosing day until termination. The 4M group received a freeze dried powder control daily from the first dosing day until termination. The 5M group received freeze dried bacteria daily from the first dosing day until termination. All treatments were given in the second half of the working day. The treatment order of the groups was randomly alternated on each study Day. On Day 1, all mice were anesthetized. A midline incision was created in the ventral side of the neck to expose the right and left common carotid-arteries. A cerebral ischemia-reperfusion I/R model was then induced in the 2M, 3M, 4M and 5M groups by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) using vascular clips for 15 minutes. At the end of each occlusion, the clips were removed. The 1M group, the sham-operated control group, underwent the same surgical procedure, but without carotid arteries occlusion. The 3M group received an injection of MK-801 as a positive control immediately after surgery. In order to keep the treatment as similar as possible, the 1M, 2M, 4M and 5M groups were also injected with sterile saline immediately after surgery. Half of each group were terminated at Day 15 and the other half were terminated at Day 29.

Strain

Blautia hydrogenotrophica bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294.

Administration Schedule

Dose Volumes Route of Group No. of Dose Level (ml/kg or Adminis- No. Animals Treatment (mg/kg) ml/animal) tration 1M 15 PBS (sham n/a 10 PO operated control) 2M 20 PBS n/a 10 (negative control) 3M 20 MK-801 3 mg/kg 10 IP (positive (immediately control) after surgery) 4M 20 Freeze-dried 7.8 mg in 100 μl PO Powder 100 μl per animal 5M 20 Freeze-dried 15.6 mg in 100 μl Bacteria 100 μl (bacteria per animal dose = 2 × 10⁸)

Study Design

Days −14 to 14: Daily dose of PBS control (1M and 2M groups), freeze dried powder control (4M group) or freeze dried bacteria (5M group).

Day 1: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion I/R model induced in the 2M, 3M, 4M and 5M groups by surgery; the 1M group (sham operated control) was operated on, but without carotid arteries occlusion. The 3M group received MK-801, and the 1M, 2M, 3M and 5M groups received sterile saline, immediately after surgery.

Day 15: Half of the mice in each group were terminated.

Day 15 to 28: Daily dose of PBS control (1M and 2M groups), freeze dried powder control (4M group) or freeze dried bacteria (5M group) for the remaining mice in each group.

Day 29: Termination of remaining mice.

Other Study Variables

Mortality and morbidity of all mice were checked twice a day.

Body weight measurements of all mice were taken twice a week.

Blood samples (100 μL each) were collected during 2-3 hours in a randomized order in lithium-heparin tubes from each mouse from before treatment up to Day −14. On Day 15, 150 μL blood samples were taken from all mice, half the amount was taken into Li-heparin tubes and the other half into EDTA tubes. Following bleeding half of the mice were terminated. On Day 29 the same bleeding procedure was applied to the second half of the mice.

Faecal pellets were also collected at three time points: Day −14, Day 15 and Day 29. Each take was carried out in a sterile environment (fully aseptic=cleaned between animals), with every mouse being taken out of the cage and placed separately into a new sterile box for individual pellet harvesting. As many pellets as possible were collected in order to reach a minimum of 80 mg and preferably 100 mg of material per mouse.

Inverted Screen Test

An Inverted Screen test was performed on Day −2/−1 (baseline), Day 14 and Day 28. In an exemplary Inverted Screen test ([58], [59]), untrained mice are placed individually on top of a wire mesh screen which is mounted horizontally on a metal rod above a padded surface. The rod is then rotated 180° so that the mice are on the bottom of the screen. The time taken for the mouse to fall from the bottom of the screen onto the padded surface is recorded.

An Inverted Screen test can measure time taken in seconds, or it can use the neurological deficit score: falling between 1-10 sec=1; falling between 11-25 sec=2; falling between 26-60 sec=3; falling between 61-90 sec=4; falling after 90 sec=5.

Social Recognition Test

A Social Recognition test was performed on Day −2/−1 (baseline), Day 14 and Day 28. In an exemplary Social Recognition Test (60), each test mouse is individually placed in a cage which is a similar size to their home cage and allowed to acclimatize to the cage for approximately 30 minutes. A second, target mouse is then placed in the cage with the test mouse. The total duration of social investigation, defined as sniffing and close following (<2 cm apart from the tail base) of the target mouse are recorded over a period of 2 minutes. The time spent investigating the target mouse in the first test is denoted T1. The test is then repeated an hour later using the same target mouse. The time spent investigating the target mouse in the second test is denoted T2. A test mouse with a T2 that is less than its T1 is demonstrating social recognition (i.e. recognition of a familiar target mouse in the repeat test leads to less investigation and a T2 that is lower than T1).

Results

Results of the Inverted Screen test are shown in FIG. 1. The y-axis of FIG. 1 represents the baseline value in seconds minus the later value in seconds (Day 14 or 28 depending on the x-axis). The y-axis is therefore representing the change in time before falling, relative to baseline. As the y-axis is subtracting the later value from the baseline value, a positive y-axis value is representative of a reduction in time before falling (i.e. poorer performance in the test) and a negative y-axis value is representative of an increase in time before falling (i.e. an improved performance in the test). The treated group (5M) showed clear improvement relative to the 2M vehicle control group, demonstrating that the composition of the invention aided recovering and improved neurological function and motor abilities following the induced brain injury.

Results of the Social Recognition test are shown in FIG. 2. The y-axis of FIG. 2 represents T1−T2. Therefore, the lower the value of T2 (which demonstrates greater social recognition) the greater the y-axis value. At Day 14 and Day 28, the treated group (5M) showed the highest social recognition, demonstrating that the composition of the invention aided recovering and improved neurological function and social recognition following the induced brain injury.

Example 3—Effects of Bacterial Lyophilisate on SCFA Production Healthy Rats

The effects of chronic administration of a lyophilisate of Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain DSM 14294 on SCFA production in healthy HIM rats were studied and the results are reported in FIG. 3. Further details regarding the experiments are provided above in the descriptions of the figure. FIG. 3 shows that administration of BH induces a significant increase in acetate as well as in butyrate production.

Example 4—Efficacy of B. hydrogenotrophica Studied in Human Microbiota Associated Rat (HMA Rat) Model Summary

Groups of 16 germ-free rats (comprising 8 rats in the control group and 8 rats in the treatment group) were inoculated with the faecal microbiota from a human IBS subject (IBS-HMA rats). Three successive experiments were carried out using faecal samples from 3 different IBS patients. Two other groups of rats (n=10) were inoculated with faecal samples of healthy subject (n=2 subjects; 2 groups of healthy-HMA rats) as visceral sensitivity control. Thus, there were 24 IBS-microbiota associated rats (control), 24 IBS microbiota associated rats treated with Blautix and 20 healthy-microbiota associated rats. Half of the IBS-HMA rats were then administered for 28 days with composition comprising the bacterial strain of B. hydrogenotrophica according to the invention while the other half animals received a control solution.

Strain

Blautia hydrogenotrophica (BH) strain DSM 14294.

Composition and Administration

BH lyophilisate was suspended in sterile mineral solution to a concentration of 10¹⁰ bacteria per ml. Two ml of this suspension was administered daily per IBS-HMA rat, by oral gavage, for a 28 days period.

The control solution was the sterile mineral solution that was administered daily (2 ml per rat) by oral gavage to the control group of IBS-HMA rats.

Rats

Germ-Free male Fisher rats (aged 10 weeks) were inoculated with human faecal microbiota from an IBS subject (IBS-HMA rats). Sixteen rats were inoculated with the same human faecal inoculum. Three successive experiments were performed with faecal samples from three different IBS subjects. Two other groups of ten rats were inoculated with faecal sample from 2 healthy subjects (normo-sensitivity control groups).

Study Design

Day −14—Inoculation of Germ-free Rats with human faecal microbiota.

Days 0 to 28—Daily dose of BH lyophilisate (assay group), or control solution (control group) by oral gavage

Between days 14 and 22—operation to implant electrode into the abdomen (for distension assay)

Days 22-28—Adaptation of the rats to avoid stress associated with distension test.

Day 28 —distension assay and euthanasia of animals to collect the caecal samples for sulphides and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis.

Days 0, 14 and 28—Collection of faecal samples for microbial analysis: qPCR for evaluating BH population and other commensal groups of miccroorganisms and enumeration of functional groups of microorganisms using selective media and strictly anaerobic method.

Results

FIG. 4 presents the results of qPCR analysis of the B. hydrogenotrophica population in faecal samples from IBS-HMA rats receiving control solution or BH lyophilisate. A significant increase in the BH population was observed at the end of the administration period (D 28) in rats receiving the BH lyophilisate, which confirms successful delivery of BH in the colon.

FIG. 5 reports on the impact of administration of BH on the main fermentative metabolites, short chain fatty acids, in caecal samples of IBS-HMA rats. Administration of BH-resulted in a significant increase in acetate concentration as well as in a significant increase in butyrate concentration (FIG. 5B).

Example 5—Histological Evaluation of the Effect of B. hydrogenotrophica on Cerebral Tissues in the Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion I/R Model in Mice Summary

A number of mice were subjected to the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion I/R model as outlined in Example 2 above. At termination of the experiment, at either day 15 or day 29, the mice cerebral tissues were subjected to histopathological examinations. The ischemia model causes a restriction of blood supply to the cerebral tissues which causes a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism and therefore to keep the tissue alive. Therefore, this model mimics the pathology of stroke.

In order to determine whether the compositions of the invention reduced the effect of the ischemia-reperfusion model on cerebral tissues, the histology of the tissues were studied upon termination of the ischemia-reperfusion model. The tissues were studied for pyknotic score (which assesses the extent of cell necrosis and death) and for vacuolisation (which assesses the extent of degeneration similar to apoptosis). Accordingly, these are key markers of the number of cells that have entered apoptosis or necrosis processes i.e. the number of cells that are dying. This occurs following stroke and experimental stroke, due to cell damage, following lack of blood/oxygen. The more these parameters are elevated, the more damage is induced by the stroke. The more these parameters are decreased, the better the composition of the invention is at preventing damage during stroke or helping recovery from stroke.

Strain

Blautia hydrogenotrophica bacterium deposited under accession number DSM 14294.

Study Design and Protocol

The ischemia-reperfusion model was performed as in Example 2. The number of animals taken to histological examination in each study group is shown below.

Group No. of Animals No. Treatment At day 15 At day 29 1M PBS (sham operated control) 6 5 2M PBS (negative control) 9 8 3M MK-801 (positive control) 8 6 4M Freeze-dried Powder 5 7 5M Freeze-dried Bacteria 6 5

Preparation of Tissues for Histological Analysis

At termination the animals were sacrificed by CO₂ asphyxiation. Where possible, half of the animals were sacrificed on day 15, and the other half were sacrificed on day 29. Following perfusion with saline only, ileum, caecum and colon was harvested from each mouse, transferred to separate marked sterile tubes and stored at −80° C. Brains were also harvested following saline perfusion. The right hemisphere of each brain was fixed with 2.5% Paraformaldehyde and stored at 2-8° C. The left hemisphere of each brain was stored at −80° C.

The sections of the right hemisphere of all animals per group were loaded onto slides followed by histological examination. Tissues were trimmed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at approximately 5 microns thickness and stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) (as well as with TUNEL reagents) using standardized protocols. The slides were examined under a light microscope. Pictures were taken using microscope (Olympus BX60) at magnifications of ×10, ×20 and ×40. The camera used was Olympus DP-73.

Histological Evaluation Protocol

The numbers of karyopy-knosis and apoptotic cells were counted, and the mean values were calculated. Neuron count was performed manually in the right hemisphere of the mice hippocampus. Ten field of ×20 magnifications were evaluated for the pyknosis and vacuolization score as follows.

Pyknosis and vacuolization, semi-quantitative scores:

-   -   1. Grade 0=no affected cells     -   2. Grade 1=up to 10 affected cells     -   3. Grade 2=>10 and <20 affected cells     -   4. Grade 3=>20 and <30 affected cells     -   5. Grade 4=>30 and <40 affected cells     -   6. Grade 5=>40 and <50 affected cells     -   7. Grade 6=>50 affected cells

A score was determined for each field of ×20 magnification for each mouse in a given sample group. The scores for each sample group were then averaged to give the mean value displayed in the graphs of the results (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

Results Pyknosis

FIG. 6A displays the semi-quantative pyknosis score after histology H&E staining. As expected, the PBS negative control (2M) mice subjected to the ischemia-reperfusion test showed a significant increase in the number of necrotic and/or dying cells compared to the sham negative control (1M i.e. mice not subjected to the ischemia-reperfusion test and which showed a score below Grade 1). In addition, mice administered the positive control MK-801 (3M) showed a reduced pyknosis score, indicative of a reduced number of necrotic cells. Strikingly, mice administered the composition of the invention (5M) showed an even further reduced pyknosis score, which was also significantly reduced compared to the PBS negative control group (2M) and reduced relative to mice administered the freeze dried powder (4M). Accordingly, mice administered the composition of the invention display a significant trend in reduced tissue necrosis caused by ischemia.

Vacuolisation

FIG. 6B demonstrates the semi-quantative score of vacuolisation after histology H&E staining. Again, as expected, the PBS negative control (2M) mice subjected to the ischemia-reperfusion test showed a significant increase in the number of necrotic and/or dying cells compared to the sham negative control (1M), which showed a score just above Grade 0. Contrary to the observations for the pyknosis score, administration of the positive control (3M) did not reduce the vacuolisation score, indicating that MK-801 fails to reduce the amount of apoptosis-triggered cell death. However, mice administered the composition of the invention (5M) demonstrated a significant reduction in vacuolisation score, lower than all the other groups. Accordingly, the compositions of the present invention reduce the amount of apoptotic cell death caused by ischemia.

Representative Histology

FIG. 6C provides representative photographs of the H&E stained slides from each of the test animals. These images were used to prepare the semi-quantitative scores discussed above. The 5M group (administered the composition of the present invention) displays a greater density and number of cells, and reduced vacuolisation, compared to the 4M group (freeze-dried powder control) and are more similar to the MK-801 positive control. Indeed, the mice administered the bacterial composition of the present invention shows a greatly improve tissue histology compared to the ischemia mice model negative control (2M).

Conclusions

The B. hydrogenotrophica strain of the present invention significantly improves cerebral tissue histology of mice subjected to the ischemia-reperfusion test compared to both of the negative controls. In line with this, the bacterial composition reduced the number of necrotic and dead cells, as well as reducing the number of cells undergoing apoptosis (vacuolisation). Although the freeze-dried powder also caused a slight reduction in pyknosis and vacuolisation scores, this reduction was not observed to the same extent in this experimental group as the group administered the bacterial composition of the invention. A possible reason for the improved histology in the lyophilised control is that the freeze-dried powder contains sugars that could have an effect on the recovery of cells subjected to a reduced level of oxygen and metabolites (due to the ischemia-reperfusion test). Nevertheless, the bacterial strain of the present invention shows clear improved histology in both the pyknosis and vacuolisation scores compared to the freeze-dried powder negative control. Accordingly, this bacterial strain demonstrates an ability to prevent cell death in cerebral tissues (by necrosis or apoptosis) and/or aid in the recovery of the cerebral tissue after ischemia-induced damage.

Sequences (Blautia stercoris strain GAM6-1 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence - HM626177) SEQ ID NO: 1    1 tgcaagtcga gcgaagcgct tacgacagaa ccttcggggg aagatgtaag ggactgagcg   61 gcggacgggt gagtaacgcg tgggtaacct gcctcataca gggggataac agttggaaac  121 ggctgctaat accgcataag cgcacggtat cgcatgatac agtgtgaaaa actccggtgg  181 tatgagatgg acccgcgtct gattagctag ttggaggggt aacggcccac caaggcgacg  241 atcagtagcc ggcctgagag ggtgaacggc cacattggga ctgagacacg gcccagactc  301 ctacgggagg cagcagtggg gaatattgca caatggggga aaccctgatg cagcgacgcc  361 gcgtgaagga agaagtatct cggtatgtaa acttctatca gcagggaaga aaatgacggt  421 acctgactaa gaagccccgg ctaactacgt gccagcagcc gcggtaatac gtagggggca  481 agcgttatcc ggatttactg ggtgtaaagg gagcgtagac ggaagagcaa gtctgatgtg  541 aaaggctggg gcttaacccc aggactgcat tggaaactgt ttttcttgag tgccggagag  601 gtaagcggaa ttcctagtgt agcggtgaaa tgcgtagata ttaggaggaa caccagtggc  661 gaaggcggct tactggacgg taactgacgt tgaggctcga aagcgtgggg agcaaacagg  721 attagatacc ctggtagtcc acgccgtaaa cgatgaatac taggtgttgg ggagcaaagc  781 tcttcggtgc cgcagcaaac gcaataagta ttccacctgg ggagtacgtt cgcaagaatg  841 aaactcaaag gaattgacgg ggacccgcac aagcggtgga gcatgtggtt taattcgaag  901 caacgcgaag aaccttacca agtcttgaca tcgatctgac cggttcgtaa tggaaccttt  961 ccttcgggac agagaagaca ggtggtgcat ggttgtcgtc agctcgtgtc gtgagatgtt 1021 gggttaagtc ccgcaacgag cgcaacccct atcctcagta gccagcaggt gaagctgggc 1081 actctgtgga gactgccagg gataacctgg aggaaggcgg ggacgacgtc aaatcatcat 1141 gccccttatg atttgggcta cacacgtgct acaatggcgt aaacaaaggg aagcgagccc 1201 gcgaggggga gcaaatccca aaaataacgt cccagttcgg actgcagtct gcaactcgac 1261 tgcacgaagc tggaatcgct agtaatcgcg aatcagaatg tcgcggtgaa tacgttcccg 1321 ggtcttgtac acaccgcccg tcacaccatg ggagtcagta acgcccgaag tc (Blautia wexlerae strain WAL 14507 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence - EF036467) SEQ ID NO: 2    1 caagtcgaac gggaattant ttattgaaac ttcggtcgat ttaatttaat tctagtggcg   61 gacgggtgag taacgcgtgg gtaacctgcc ttatacaggg ggataacagt cagaaatggc  121 tgctaatacc gcataagcgc acagagctgc atggctcagt gtgaaaaact ccggtggtat  181 aagatggacc cgcgttggat tagcttgttg gtggggtaac ggcccaccaa ggcgacgatc  241 catagccggc ctgagagggt gaacggccac attgggactg agacacggcc cagactccta  301 cgggaggcag cagtggggaa tattgcacaa tgggggaaac cctgatgcag cgacgccgcg  361 tgaaggaaga agtatctcgg tatgtaaact tctatcagca gggaagatag tgacggtacc  421 tgactaagaa gccccggcta actacgtgcc agcagccgcg gtaatacgta gggggcaagc  481 gttatccgga tttactgggt gtaaagggag cgtagacggt gtggcaagtc tgatgtgaaa  541 ggcatgggct caacctgtgg actgcattgg aaactgtcat acttgagtgc cggaggggta  601 agcggaattc ctagtgtagc ggtgaaatgc gtagatatta ggaggaacac cagtggcgaa  661 ggcggcttac tggacggtaa ctgacgttga ggctcgaaag cgtggggagc aaacaggatt  721 agataccctg gtagtccacg ccgtaaacga tgaataacta ggtgtcgggt ggcaaagcca  781 ttcggtgccg tcgcaaacgc agtaagtatt ccacctgggg agtacgttcg caagaatgaa  841 actcaaagga attgacgggg acccgcacaa gcggtggagc atgtggttta attcgaagca  901 acgcgaagaa ccttaccaag tcttgacatc cgcctgaccg atccttaacc ggatctttcc  961 ttcgggacag gcgagacagg tggtgcatgg ttgtcgtcag ctcgtgtcgt gagatgttgg 1021 gttaagtccc gcaacgagcg caacccctat cctcagtagc cagcatttaa ggtgggcact 1081 ctggggagac tgccagggat aacctggagg aaggcgggga tgacgtcaaa tcatcatgcc 1141 ccttatgatt tgggctacac acgtgctaca atggcgtaaa caaagggaag cgagattgtg 1201 agatggagca aatcccaaaa ataacgtccc agttcggact gtagtctgca acccgactac 1261 acgaagctgg aatcgctagt aatcgcggat cagaatgccg cggtgaatac gttcccgggt 1321 cttgtacaca ccgcccgtca caccatggga gtcagtaacg cccgaagtca gtgacctaac 1381 tgcaaagaag gagctgccga aggcgggacc gatgactggg gtgaagtcgt aacaaggt (consensus 16S rRNA sequence for Blautia stercoris strain 830) SEQ ID NO: 3 TTTKGTCTGGCTCAGGATGAACGCTGGCGGCGTGCTTAACACATGCAAGTCGAGCGAAGCGCTTACGACAGAACCTT CGGGGGAAGATGTAAGGGACTGAGCGGCGGACGGGTGAGTAACGCGTGGGTAACCTGCCTCATACAGGGGGATAACA GTTGGAAACGGCTGCTAATACCGCATAAGCGCACAGTATCGCATGATACAGTGTGAAAAACTCCGGTGGTATGAGAT GGACCCGCGTCTGATTAGCTAGTTGGAGGGGTAACGGCCCACCAAGGCGACGATCAGTAGCCGGCCTGAGAGGGTGA ACGGCCACATTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATTGCACAATGGGGGAAA CCCTGATGCAGCGACGCCGCGTGAAGGAAGAAGTATCTCGGTATGTAAACTTCTATCAGCAGGGAAGAAAATGACGG TACCTGACTAAGAAGCCCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGGGCAAGCGTTATCCGGATTT ACTGGGTGTAAAGGGAGCGTAGACGGAAGAGCAAGTCTGATGTGAAAGGCTGGGGCTTAACCCCAGGACTGCATTGG AAACTGTTTTTCTTGAGTGCCGGAGAGGTAAGCGGAATTCCTAGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGTAGATATTAGGAGGAA CACCAGTGGCGAAGGCGGCTTACTGGACGGTAACTGACGTTGAGGCTCGAAAGCGTGGGGAGCAAACAGGATTAGAT ACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGATGAATACTAGGTGTTGGGGAGCAAAGCTCTTCGGTGCCGCAGCAAACGCAA TAAGTATTCCACCTGGGGAGTACGTTCGCAAGAATGAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGACCCGCACAAGCGGTGGAG CATGTGGTTTATTCGAAGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAAGTCTTGACATCGATCTGACCGGTTCGTAATGGAACCTT TCCTTCGGGACAGAGAAGACAGGTGGTGCATGGTTGTCGTCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGATGTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAA CGAGCGCAACCCCTATCGTCAGTAGCCAGCAGGTAAAGCTGGGCACTCTGAGGAGACTGCCAGGGATAACCTGGAGG AAGGCGGGGACGACGTCAAATCATCATGCCCCTTATGATTTGGGCTACACACGTGCTACAATGGCGTAAACAAAGGG AAGCGAGCCCGCGAGGGGGAGCAAATCCCAAAAATAACGTCCCAGTTCGGACTGCAGTCTGCAACTCGACTGCACGA AGCTGGAATCGCTAGTAATCGCGAATCAGAATGTCGCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGTCTTGTACACACCGCCCGTCAC ACCATGGGAGTCAGTAACGCCCGAAGTCAGTGACCCAACCTTAGGGAGGGAGCTGCCGAAGGCGGGATTGATAACTG GGGTGAAGTCTAGGGGGT (consensus 16S rRNA sequence for Blautia wexlerae strain MRX008) SEQ ID NO: 4 TTCATTGAGACTTCGGTGGATTTAGATTCTATTTCTAGTGGCGGACGGGTGAGTAACGCGTGGGTAACCTGCCTTAT ACAGGGGGATAACAGTCAGAAATGGCTGCTAATACCGCATAAGCGCACAGAGCTGCATGGCTCAGTGTGAAAAACTC CGGTGGTATAAGATGGACCCGCGTTGGATTAGCTTGTTGGTGGGGTAACGGCCCACCAAGGCGACGATCCATAGCCG GCCTGAGAGGGTGAACGGCCACATTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATTG CACAATGGGGGAAACCCTGATGCAGCGACGCCGCGTGAAGGAAGAAGTATCTCGGTATGTAAACTTCTATCAGCAGG GAAGATAGTGACGGTACCTGACTAAGAAGCCCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGGGCAAG CGTTATCCGGATTTACTGGGTGTAAAGGGAGCGTAGACGGTGTGGCAAGTCTGATGTGAAAGGCATGGGCTCAACCT GTGGACTGCATTGGAAACTGTCATACTTGAGTGCCGGAGGGGTAAGCGGAATTCCTAGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGTA GATATTAGGAGGAACACCAGTGGCGAAGGCGGCTTACTGGACGGTAACTGACGTTGAGGCTCGAAAGCGTGGGGAGC AAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGATGAATACTAGGTGTCNGGGGAGCATGGCTCTTCGGTG CCGTCGCAAACGCAGTAAGTATTCCACCTGGGGAGTACGTTCGCAAGAATGAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGACCC GCACAAGCGGTGGAGCATGTGGTTTAATTCGAAGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAAGTCTTGACATCCGCCTGACCGA TCCTTAACCGGATCTTTCCTTCGGGACAGGCGAGACAGGTGGTGCATGGTTGTCGTCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGATGTT GGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACGAGCGCAACCCCTATCCTCAGTAGCCAGCATTTAAGGTGGGCACTCTGGGGAGACTGCCA GGGATAACCTGGAGGAAGGCGGGGATGACGTCAAATCATCATGCCCCTTATGATTTGGGCTACACACGTGCTACAAT GGCGTAAACAAAGGGAAGCGAGATCGTGAGATGGAGCAAATCCCAAAAATAACGTCCCAGTTCGGACTGTAGTCTGC AACCCGACTACACGAAGCTGGAATCGCTAGTAATCGCGGATCAGAATGCCGCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGTCTTGTA CACACCGCCCGTCACACCATGGGAGTCAGTAACGCCCGAAGTCAGTGACCTAACTGCAAAGAAGGAGCTGCCGAA (Blautia hydrogenotrophica strain S5a36 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence - X95624.1) SEQ ID NO: 5    1 gatgaacgct ggcggcgtgc ttaacacatg caagtcgaac gaagcgatag agaacggaga   61 tttcggttga agttttctat tgactgagtg gcggacgggt gagtaacgcg tgggtaacct  121 gccctataca gggggataac agttagaaat gactgctaat accgcataag cgcacagctt  181 cgcatgaagc ggtgtgaaaa actgaggtgg tataggatgg acccgcgttg gattagctag  241 ttggtgaggt aacggcccac caaggcgacg atccatagcc ggcctgagag ggtgaacggc  301 cacattggga ctgagacacg gcccaaactc ctacgggagg cagcagtggg gaatattgca  361 caatggggga aaccctgatg cagcgacgcc gcgtgaagga agaagtatct cggtatgtaa  421 acttctatca gcagggaaga aagtgacggt acctgactaa gaagccccgg ctaattacgt  481 gccagcagcc gcggtaatac gtaaggggca agcgttatcc ggatttactg ggtgtaaagg  541 gagcgtagac ggtttggcaa gtctgatgtg aaaggcatgg gctcaacctg tggactgcat  601 tggaaactgt cagacttgag tgccggagag gcaagcggaa ttcctagtgt agcggtgaaa  661 tgcgtagata ttaggaggaa caccagtggc gaaggcggcc tgctggacgg taactgacgt  721 tgaggctcga aagcgtgggg agcaaacagg attagatacc ctggtagtcc acgctgtaaa  781 cgatgaatac taggtgtcgg gtggcaaagc cattcggtgc cgcagcaaac gcaataagta  841 ttcccacctg gggagtacgt tcgcaagaat gaaactcaaa ggaattgacg gggacccgca  901 caagcggtgg agcatgtggt ttaattcgaa gcaacgcgaa gaaccttacc aaatcttgac  961 atccctctga ccgggaagta atgttccctt ttcttcggaa cagaggagac aggtggtgca 1021 tggttgtcgt cagctcgtgt cgtgagatgt tgggttaagt cccgcaacga gcgcaaccct 1081 tattcttagt agccagcagg tagagctggg cactctaggg agactgccag ggataacctg 1141 gaggaaggtg gggatgacgt caaatcatca tgccccttat gatttgggct acacacgtgc 1201 tacaatggcg taaacaaagg gaagcgaagg ggtgacctgg agcaaatctc aaaaataacg 1261 tctcagttcg gattgtagtc tgcaactcga ctacatgaag ctggaatcgc tagtaatcgc 1321 gaatcagaat gtcgcggtga atacgttccc gggtcttgta cacaccgccc gtcacaccat 1381 gggagtcagt aacgcccgaa gtcagtgacc caaccnaaag gagggagctg ccgaaggtgg 1441 gactgataac tggggtga

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The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of treating a loss of neurological function resulting from stroke in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a composition that comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a bacteria strain of the species Blautia hydrogenotrophica, wherein the bacteria strain comprises a 16S rRNA gene having at least 98% sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, as determined by a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12, a gap extension penalty of 2, and a Blocks Substitution Matrix (BLOSUM) of 62, and wherein the administering is effective to treat the loss of neurological function.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said administering is effective to reduce at least one of: brain tissue damage, motor deficit, or social recognition deficit, thereby treating the loss of neurological function resulting from stroke in the subject.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said stroke is selected from the group consisting of cerebral ischemia, focal cerebral ischemia, ischemic stroke, a thrombotic stroke, an embolic stroke, global cerebral ischemia, a hemorrhagic stroke, an intracerebral haemorrhage, and a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is diagnosed with stroke or has at least one risk factor for stroke.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the subject has at least one risk factor for stroke, and wherein said one risk factor is high blood pressure or diabetes.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the subject has suffered at least one transient ischemic attack.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises de minimis amounts of other bacteria strains.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the bacteria strain is live and capable of at least partially colonizing an intestine of the subject.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said administering comprises oral, rectal, nasal, buccal, sublingual, or subcutaneous administration.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated for delivery to an intestine of the subject.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is encapsulated.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the bacteria strain comprises a 16S rRNA gene having at least 99% sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, as determined by a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12, a gap extension penalty of 2, and a Blocks Substitution Matrix (BLOSUM) of
 62. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the bacteria strain comprises a 16S rRNA gene with sequence identity to ID NO:5.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the bacteria strain is the strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294 or a biotype of the strain deposited under accession number DSM
 14294. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is human.
 16. A method of treating stroke in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a composition that comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a bacteria strain of the species Blautia hydrogenotrophica, wherein the bacteria strain comprises a 16s rRNA gene sequence having at least 99% sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, as determined by a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12, a gap extension penalty of 2, and a Blocks Substitution Matrix (BLOSUM) of 62, and wherein the administering is effective to treat stroke in the subject.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the subject is human.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the bacteria strain comprises a 16S rRNA gene with sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:5.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the bacteria strain is the strain deposited under accession number DSM 14294 or a biotype of the strain deposited under accession number DSM
 14294. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the biotype is a bacteria strain that has the same carbohydrate fermentation pattern as the bacteria strain deposited under accession number DSM
 14294. 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the biotype is a bacteria strain that has the same carbohydrate fermentation pattern as the bacteria strain deposited under accession number DSM
 14294. 22. The method of claim 16, wherein said administering is effective to reduce at least one of: brain tissue damage, motor deficit, or social recognition deficit, thereby treating stroke in the subject. 